Eyes of the world might be on Scotland for local weather summit, queen says By Reuters

LONDON (Reuters) – The world’s consideration might be centered on Scotland for subsequent month’s local weather summit, Queen Elizabeth instructed Scottish lawmakers on Saturday, including that they’d have an essential position making a greater, more healthy world.

The queen opened the Scottish parliament on Saturday with fond remarks, 4 months after an election that returned a pro-independence majority pledging to carry a brand new referendum on whether or not to go away the UK.

Subsequent month, Britain will host the COP26 local weather summit in Scotland, which British officers invoice because the final probability for world leaders to decide to agency targets to cut back emissions for the following decade and avert catastrophic world warming.

“The eyes of the world might be on the UK – and Scotland specifically – as leaders come collectively to deal with the challenges of local weather change,” Elizabeth mentioned in a speech.

“There’s a key position for the Scottish Parliament, as with all parliaments, to assist create a greater, more healthy future for us all, and to have interaction with the folks they signify, particularly our younger folks.”

Elizabeth will attend COP26 occasions. Her household together with son Prince Charles and grandson Prince William have lengthy been vocal campaigners on a bunch of environmental points.

The 95-year-old monarch, who lives for a number of the yr at her Scottish property, spoke fondly of her time there with Prince Philip, her husband of 70 years who died in April.

“I’ve spoken earlier than of my deep and abiding affection for this excellent nation, and of the numerous pleased recollections Prince Philip and I all the time held of our time right here,” she mentioned.

Although Scottish independence is taken into account a political difficulty on which the queen shouldn’t take a public place, her heat phrases for Scotland are typically portrayed within the media as a part of a allure offensive to assist persuade Scots to remain.

Scotland has been a part of the UK for greater than 300 years. Since 1999, it has had its personal parliament and devolved administration liable for most home insurance policies.